Faculty Interests
Planetary Astrophysics
Explores the formation, evolution, and characteristics of planets—both within our solar system and around other stars—to understand planetary systems and their potential for life.
Exoplanetary Atmospheres
Detection of Exoplanets
Planet Formation and Evolution
Galaxies in the Local Volume
Investigates nearby galaxies to uncover the structure, dynamics, and histories of galactic systems in our cosmic neighborhood.
Stars, Star Clusters and Stellar Evolution
Stellar Populations, Galactic Structure and Galaxy Interactions
Extragalactic Astrophysics and Cosmology
Probes the large-scale structure of the universe, the evolution of galaxies, dark matter, and dark energy to understand the origins and fate of the cosmos.
Inter(galactic + stellar) Medium Program of Studies
Galaxy Formation and Evolution
Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and Galaxies
The Early Universe
High Energy and Particle Astrophysics
Studies the most energetic phenomena in the universe—such as black holes, neutron stars, and cosmic rays—using both observational and theoretical tools.
Gamma Rays and Cosmic Rays
Robert Preston Johnson
- Website
Terry L Schalk
- Website
Tesla Erin Jeltema
- Website
Stefano Profumo
- Website
David Allen Williams
- Website
Supernovae, Hypernovae, Gamma-Ray Bursts
Black Holes, Neutron Stars, AGN
X-Ray Astrophysics
Tesla Erin Jeltema
- Website
Radio and Sub-mm Astronomy
Uses long-wavelength observations to study cold gas, star formation, and the early universe, offering unique insights invisible at other wavelengths.
Galaxy Formation, Interstellar Medium, Cosmic Magnetism
Instrumentation
Designs and builds advanced telescopes, detectors, and observational tools that enable new discoveries across all areas of astrophysics.